What tuning for behind-the-steel bends?

Dave Jetson · From: Victoria, Australia

I've experimented a bit with imitating pedal steel sounds, and I "get" how it's done, I'm just wondering what tuning is best for the technique.

I'll probably have to figure it out myself, but if anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears.
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Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Open E, D, G can give you some good pedal steel-like bends. Here's an arrangement I did back in 2001 of Bud's Bounce using that sound in E tuning that uses these sounds:

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=368169#368169

Here's Arlen Roth in D tuning using those pedal steel sounds on a metal body:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7Ve9JUPGnE

A good trick to remember is to use silent pre-bends and then release for a pedal-steel like knee lever sound. The main thing is that a pedal steel bend is precise and mechanical. On the other end of the spectrum, in C6th, I like to put a heavy vibrato sometimes on the behind-the-bar bend while playing a big chord. This kind of gives the effect of one of the horns in a horn section standing out from the other voices.

Shari Kane · From: Michigan, USA

Hi,
I've been messing around with behind the steel bends lately. I'm using dobro (GBDGBD) but tuning the high B down to A. If you check out Martin Gross at his website or on YouTube, he's got some recordings of the same tuning. Also, Roy Thomson had some postings on the forum with the same tuning. I got a couple of lessons from him that had these bends and they were helpful, very clear and well written.
Good luck,
Shari

Dave Jetson · From: Victoria, Australia

Thanks for the suggestions, folks, very helpful. I'll have a look at the stuff you've recommended, experiment a bit and see what works for me.

I like the idea of using something like a "regular" slide tuning, 'cause I've been playing bottleneck in open D and open G for years and I'm already very familiar with those tunings. Being able to adapt one to use with steel (along with my C6 neck for more traditional steel style) is a very attractive idea.

Andy, I'm definitely planning on buying your book one of these days.
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Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Leavitt tuning will give you what you want. Here is an MP3 of Way to Survive I posted months ago. Only one slant used in the entire track. Use some open strings and move another with the bar while the open string rings. Also pulling behind the bar is done. I use lighter strings to make that easier.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?59jtbwwdmj4

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

I use a G6th which is low to high B D E G B D. With this one you can pull the 2nd string to C behind the bar and go from a I to a IV chord as you'll have the three note C triad right there!

Also if you want to play any thing in open E just retune the 1st string to E and the 3rd string to G# and you've got an E7th. I have Keith/Scruggs banjo tuners on one of my guitars for that. Once you're in E you can pull the 3rd string a half tone for a nice sus4. Other things you can do is pull the 5th string D to D# to go along with the 6th string B. Either of these tunings allow a lot of pedal steel like "pulls" which are head turners for sure.....JH in Va.
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D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

Another pull for DGDGBD or GBDGBD = raise the first string up one fret to make an augmented or #5, which is a good transition between G/I and C/IV chords.

Also works for open D or E, but use 2nd string to find #5.

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

Billy Robinson does that style of playing on his 10-str. Non-Pedal Guitar, tuned to this C6-Tuning. Lo-to-Hi F~A~C~E~G~A~C~E~G~*D
(*D Pitched between C & E) It sounds nice, but; if you try to play that style on ‘my’ guitar, I'll have to break your fingers!!!
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